Lasting machine



J. FOSSA LASTING MACHINE Oct. 20, 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 25, 1950 Inventor Jose 11 Fossa Oct. 20, 1953 J, FQSSA 2,655,671

LASTING MACHINE Filed May 25, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 4/2 I n11 en for Jose oh Fossa By hzg flffozneg Oct. 20, 1953 J. FossA 2,655,671

LASTING MACHINE Filed Ma; 25, 1950 s Sheets-Sheet 3 [n van for Joseph Fossa By his Afirzej/ Patented Oct. 20,

LASTING MACHINE Joseph Fossa, Hamilton, Mass, assignor to United Shoe Machinery Corporation, Flemington, N. J a corporation of New Jersey Application May 25, 1950, Serial No. 164,149

22 Claims. (01. 12-1) This invention relates to lasting machines, and particularly to a novel and improved machine for lasting shoes in which the stock to be lasted is tensioned, progressively, in different locations along the marginal edge of the bottom of the shoe and the lasting margin of the tensioned stock pressed into engagement with the bottom of the shoe so as to be secured thereto in lasted position by means of an adhesive. Although herein illustrated as embodied in a lasting machine of the type disclosed in United States Letters Patent No. 2,411,827 and 2,472,816, issued, respectively, on November 26, 1945, and June 14, 1949, in the name of Joseph Fossa, it is to be understood that in certain broader aspects, the invention is not limited to use in this type of lasting machine or with the exact mechanical construction shown in those patents.

In lasting machines of the aforementioned type, the stock is tensioned, progressively, in different locations along the marginal edge of the bottom of the shoe by means of an intermittently operating gripper including a pair of jaws which seize the lasting margin of the stock and draw it inwardly from the edge of the shoe bottom, in a direction substantially parallel to the bottom of the shoe and over the shield portion of a shoebottom-engaging member, in each location, and the lasting margin of the tensioned stock is pressed into engagement with the shoe bottom by a pressing member which also moves in a direction to feed the shoe, in time relation to the tensioning action or the gripper. While machines of this kind have proved to be quite satisfactory in use, it has been found that a very considerable force must be applied to the lasting margin by the gripper, in a direction extending inwardly from the edge of the shoe bottom, in order to tension the stock adequately in the desired direction heightwise of the shoe. In fact, when lasting stock which is quite stiff or heavy, the force which it is necessary for the gripper jaws to apply may be so great as to distort, or even tear, the material and, when the force applied by the gripper is not great enough to distort, or tear, the material being lasted, the resulting loads which are imposed upon the gripper jaws, and hence upon their operating mechanism, may be such as to cause excessive wear and to make it diflicult to keep these parts in proper adjustment,

It is an object of this invention to provide a novel and improved lasting machine of the aforementioned type in which these difficulties are entirely avoided. With this object in view, and in accordance with a feature of this invention, the herein illustrated machine, which has. means for tensioning the stock to be lasted, progressively, in

different locations along the marginal edge of the bottom of a shoe, by drawing its lasting margin inwardly from the edge of the shoe bottom, and a member for pressing the lasting margin of the tensioned stock against the bottom of the shoe, is also provided with additional means for tensioning the stock, in a direction heightwise of the shoe, to facilitate the action of the first-men tioned tensioning means. More particularly, and in accordance with another feature of the invention, the machine is provided with an intermittently operating gripper including a pair of jaws for seizing the lasting margin of the stock and for drawing it inwardly from the edge of the shoe bottom, in a direction substantially parallel to the bottom of the shoe, and over the shield portion of a shoe-bottom-engaging member, thereby to tension the stock in a direction heightwise of the shoe, and a presser-feed-foot operable, in time relation to the action of the gripper, for pressing the lasting margin of the stock against the bottom of the shoe and for feeding the shoe, while the additional tensioning means comprises a pair of driven rotary members. Preferably, these rotary members consist of a pair of spindles that are mounted, just ahead of the gripper jaws, with their axes inclined to the plane of the shoe bottom and in a direction lengthwise of the shoe, and mechanism is provided for bringing these spindles into engagement with the lasting margin of the stock during at least a portion of the operating cycle of the machine. When thus brought into engagementwith the stock, these driven spindles exert a frictional drag thereon tending to tension the stock in a direction heightwise of the shoe and also to feed the lasting margin of the stock toward the gripper jaws. Preferably, and in the herein illustrated machine, the driven spindles are brought into engagement with the lasting margin of the stock prior to the closing of the gripper jaws and are held in engagement therewith during an initial portion of the tensioning action of the gripper jaws. With this arrangement, the stock is pretensioned to a considerable extent by the driven spindles before it is engaged by the gripper jaws and the force which must be applied by the gripper jaws, to complete the tensioning of the stock and to draw its lasting margin inwardly over the bottom of the shoe, is correspondingly decreased. In addition, the lasting margin of the stock is directed toward a position in which it may be readily engaged by the gripper jaws as a result of the action of the driven spindles which will also have the tendency to break any adhesive bond between the stock and the marginal edge of the shoe bottom.

The above and other objects and features of the invention will appear in the following detailed description of the embodiment thereof which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and will be pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation of a machine embodying the features of this invention;

Fig, 2 is a view in perspective and at a larger scale of the front portion of the machine shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view in front elevation of the front portion of the machine;

Figs. 4 and 5, 6 and 7, respectively, are views in front elevation and planof the operating ele merits of the machine showing these elements in different positions assumed during an operating cycle; and

Fig. 8 is a view in side elevation of one of the operatin elements of the machine.

Referringto the drawings, the machine illustrat'e'd therein is, except as pointed out below, similar to the machines disclosed in United States Letters Patent Nos. 2,411,827 and 2,472,816, referred to above. Hence, the herein illustrated machine has a gripper, including a rear jaw l and a front jaw i2, a shoe-bottom rest and lastmg shield 14, a presser-feed-foot 16, a feed-retaining finger l8, and an "edge-guide roll 20. These various elements are supported on and op'eratedby means of mechanism contained within a hollow head construction indicated generally by the-reference character 22 and having a lower portion 24 and a removable cover 26. The

presser-feed-foot i6 'andfeed retainer 18 are I operated from a'main drive shaft 28 by means of mechanism, not shown, which is'exactly the same as that disclosed in Patent No. 2,411,827, while the gripper jaws I0 and I2 are actuated by mechanism, not shown, which is the same as that described in Patent N 0. 2,472,816. Inasmuch as the particular mechanical construction of thesetwo operating mechanisms is of no significance'so as far as the present invention is concrned a 'disclosure'thereof has been omitted fi 'onr these drawings and reference may be had to the aforementioned patents for these details. The shoe-bottom rest, which has a shield portion 119, is mountedon a bracket'member 'l'5 by means of screws 17 and this bracket member, irr'turn, is secured to a lever 31 by means'of stir'ewstt, Figs. '2 and 3'. This lever, which is rotatably'mounted on a cross shaft 32, carried bya forwardlyexter'iding part of the cover 26, isfactu'ated to move the bottom rest Mto and from an operative position by means of'mechani'sm similar to that disclosed in Patent No. 2,472,816, referred to above, and including a tre'adle actuated rod. The arrangement is such, as explained in that patent, that depression of 'the 'treadle, not shown, will move the shoebottom rest from the inoperative position shown in'Figs. 1 and 2 to the operative position shown in Figs. 3 to 8. When the treadle is released, a spring, not shown, returns the shoe-bottom rest to its inoperative position. 'The lasting machine so far described is, of course, similar to and operates in the same manner as, the machine disclosed in Patents Nos. 2,411,827 and 2,472,816 referred to above. Thus. when the treadle is depressed to move the shoebottom rest M to its operative position, the stock being lasted is tensioned, progressively, in different locations along the marginal edge of the shoe bottom; by the intermittently operating gripper jaws 10, I2 which seize the lasting margin of the stock and draw it inwardly from the edge of the shoe bottom and over the shield portion ill) of the shoe-bottom rest :4. The lasting margin of the tensioned stock is pressed into adhesive engagement with the bottom of the shoe by the action of the pr esser-feed-foot 16 which operates, in time relation to the action of the gripper jaws, and also moves in a direction to feed the shoe when in pressing engagement with the lasting margin of the stock. The feed retainer 18 applies additional pressure to the lasting margin and holds the shoe against retrograde movement while the gripper jaws are opened and the presserfeed=footis elevated and returned. During'th'ebperation of the machine, the shoe being lasted ls'held inthe hands of the operator and positioned, laterally and in a heightwise direction, by en'gag'ement with the shoe-bottom rest 14 and edge-guide roll 20.

' The'here'in illustrated machine is further provided with additional tensioning means for seizing't he lasting margin of the stock, in a location adjacent to where it is engaged by the gripper jaws, and exerting a pull thereon in a direction heightwise of the shoe to augment and facilitate the tensioning action of the gripper jaws I0, I2. This additional tensioning means comprises a pair of power-drivenspindles 300, 400 which are operated so as to engage the opposite sides oi the lasting margin of the stock being lasted in a locationjust ahead of the gripper jaws. These spindles are arranged with their axes inclined to the plane ofthe shoe bottom and in a direc-i tion lengthwise of the shoe and are rotated in opposite directions, see arrows Figs. 1, 6 and 7, so that, when moved into engagement with the opposite sides of the lasting margin, these spindl'es exert a frictional drag thereon which has a component of action extending generally heightwise of the shoe and another component, at right anglesthereto, extending lengthwise of the shoe. As will presently appear, these spindles aremoved into engagement with the lasting margin of the stool; during that part of the operating cycle-of the machine in which the gripper jaws exert their p'ull'and whilcjthe shoe is held stationary by the feed'retainer and are moved out of en.- gagement with the lasting margin during the remaining part of the operating cycle in which the shoeis fed along by the presser-feed-foot.

'Thespindle 330 is rot-stably mounted in a bear ingbracket 302 which is secured to the bracket member [5 by means of a web portion 304 and screws iitfi, Figs. 1,2 and 3. A pulley 368 is securedto the upperend of the spindle 3G0 and afbelt 3 I 0 connected to adrive pulley, not shown, is trained over this pulley. The spindle 400 is formedintegrally with the lower end of a shaft Mil "which is journaled in a second bearing bracket 402, Figs. 1 and 2. Near its upper end, this bearing bracket is pivotally mounted, by means of a pairof pointed screws 494, 494, in a yoke member-496. This yoke meinberis sup ported ono'ne end of an L-shaped member 488 thatissecured to'the side of the machine by a screw 4H}, Fig. 3. A, second yoke member-Ali,v supported in the other end of the L-shaped member 408, is arranged to embrace the lower por tion of the bearing bracket 402, Figs. 1, 3 and 8. Secured to the upper end of the shaft MI is a pulley 4l4 and a belt 415, connected to a second drive pulley, not shown, is trained over this pulley.

Clamped on the bearing bracket 402 is a collar 420 provided with a rearwardly extending am 422, Figs. 1, 3 and 8. Connected to this arm, by means of a ball joint, is a rod 424 having a threaded portion 426 which passes through a clearance hole 428 formed in one end of a member 430, Figs. 1 and 8. A coil spring 432 is interposed between the member 430 and a pair of lock nuts 434, threaded onto the threaded portion of the rod, and a stop nut 436 is provided for limiting movement of the rod by this spring. Adjustably secured to the other end of the member 430, by means of a threaded portion 440 and a lock nut 442, is a second rod 444 which is connected to an eccentric strap 446. This strap surrounds an eccentric 448 which is mounted on the main drive shaft 28 of the machine.

With the arrangement just described, when the lasting machine is in operation, the bearing bracket 402 will be oscillated, about its pivotal mounting on the yoke 406 and by means of the eccentric 448, so as to move the spindle 400 toward and away from the spindle 300 in a manner that will be apparent. The setting of the stop nut 436 and lock nut 442 is such that, when the treadle of the machine is released so that the shoe-bottom rest l4 and spindle 300 are in the inoperative positions shown in Fig. 1, the spindle 400 will approach but never come into engagement with the spindle 300. However, when the treadle of the lasting machine is depressed and the shoe-bottom rest [4 and spindle 300 moved to their operative positions, see Figs. 4 to 8, the spindle 400 will be periodically moved toward and into engagement with the spindle 300. Thus, if material is interposed between these two spindles, it will be yieldingly pressed against the spindle 300 by the spindle 400 during a portion of the operating cycle of the machine, the spring 432 yielding to accommodate difierent thicknesses of material as indicated in Fig. 8.

Referring particularly to Figs. 4-7 of the drawings, the operation of the two driven spindles 309, 4% to serve as an additional tensioning means will now be described. Figs. 4 and 6 show the operating elements of the machine in the positions reached at the conclusion of a tensioning action of the gripper jaws l0, l2 and just as the presser-feed-foot has descended into pressing engagement with the lasting margin of the tensioned stock, herein illustrated by Way of an example as being the cover C of a slip-lasted shoe including an upper U (Fig. 8) assembled on a last L, together with a platform P. Figs. 5 and 7 show these same elements in the positions assumed in a later part of the operating cycle at the end of the feeding movement of the presserfeed-foot and just as the feed retainer l8 has descended into engagement with the lasting margin of the stock. In so far as the timing of the actions of the gripper jaws I0, 12, presserfeed-foot I6 and feed retainer [8 is concerned, this is substantially the same as that of the machine of Patents Nos. 2,411,827 and 2,472,816, referred to above, this timing being illustrated in Fig. 8 of the earlier of these two patents. Thus, the stock is tensionedby the gripper jaws during the latter part ((approximately 90) of the first half of an operating cycle while the shoe is fed along by the presser-feed-foot and the jaws are opened during the second half of the operating cycle.

The action of the eccentric 448 is so timed, with respect to the action of the gripper jaws, that the lasting-margin of the stock is gripped between the spindles 300,- 400, see Figs. 4, 6 and 8,

during the first half of each operating cycle and the spindles are separated to release their grip on the lasting margin during the rest, or second half, of the operating cycle. As will be apparent, by changing the setting of the stop nut 436 and lock nut 442, the efiective length of the connection formed by rod 424, member 430 and rod 444 may be varied and the spindles caused to grip the lasting margin of the stock for a greater or lesser part of the operating cycle. With these parts so adjusted that the spindles engage the stock for approximately one-fourth of the operating cycle, gripping the stock at 45 and releasing it at the action of these spindles will be as follows.

As shown in Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawings, the spindles 300, 400 are inclined to the plane of the bottom of the shoe being lasted and in a direction lenthgwise of the shoe, and therefore, when in engagement with the lasting margin, will exert a frictional drag on the stock having a component in a direction tending to tension the stock in a direction heightwise of the shoe and another component in a direction tending to move the lasting margin of the stock in a direction lengthwise of the shoe and toward the gripper jaws. Thus, before the gripper jaws l0, [2 close on the stock and during the first part of their action to draw the lasting margin of the stock inwardly from the edge of the shoe bottom and over the shield portion of the shoe-bottom-rest, the stock will not only be tensionedheightwise of the shoe but also will be moved in a direction lengthwise of the shoe and toward the gripper jaws by the spindles. During this part of the operating cycle movement of the shoe in the direction of feed is, of course, prevented by the action of the feed retainer I8 so that the stock is actually fed to the gripper jaws by the action 01 the spindles. Figs. 4 and 6 illustrate the tensioning and feeding actions of the spindles which have just been described. Now, before the gripper jaws open and prior to the beginning of the feeding of the shoe by the presser-feed-foot, the spindles are separated, as a result of movement of the spindle 400 away from the spindle 300 by the eccentric 448, and remain separated as shown in Figs. 5 and 7 for the remaining part of that. operating cycle and for the first 45 of the next; operating cycle.

As is pointed out above, the action of the spindles begins before the lasting margin of the, stock is seized by the gripper jaws and continues; during the initial portion of the tensioning; action of the gripper jaws. Hence, the stock: is not only pretensioned in a heightwise direc tion, when the gripper jaws start to pull the lasting margin thereof inwardly from the edge of the shoe bottom and over the shield portion of the shoe-bottom rest, but the lasting margin of the stock is also fed to the gripper jaws during a part of their tensioning action. As a result of the combined tensioning action, heightwise by the spindles and inwardly by the gripper jaws, even the heaviest and stiffest stock will be pulled up tightly along the edge of the platform P and drawn snugly in over the bottom of the shoe with a minimum amount of pull required of the gripper jaws. Also, should there'be any tendency for the lasting margin of the stock to adhere to the edge of the platform P, because of the presence of adhesive in that location, this adhesive bond will be readily broken by the initial action of the spindless before the stock is seized by the gripper jaws. However, inasmuch.

acumen as the spindles 300, 400 are separated well before the gripper jaws complete their tensioning action and release the stock, they do not interfere with the feeding of the shoe by the presserfeed-foot or with the final tensioning of the stock by the gripper jaws.

It will be understood, or course, when lasting different kinds of stock, that it may be desirable to vary the action of the additional tensioning means, i. e., the two spindles, by making these spindles effective during a greater or lesser portion of the operating cycle of the machine. Thus, when lasting extremely stiff or heavy stock, the stop nut 436 and lock nut 442 may be so adjusted that the spindles are closed on the stock during substantially all of the first half of the operating cycle. Under these conditions, the stock will be tensioned to a greater extent before being engaged by the gripper jaws and the tensioning action of the spindles will be continued for a longer time during the tensioning action of the gripper jaws. On the other hand, when rather light and flimsy material is being handled, a considerably lesser amount of pretensioning by the spindles will be desired. Thus, the stop nut 436 and the lock nut 442 would be so adjusted that the spindles are closed on the stock for a much smaller portion of the operating cycle.

Having described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A lasting machine having, in combination, a member for engaging the bottom of a shoe, means for tensioning the stock to be lasted, progressively, in different locations along the marginal edge of the bottom of the shoe by pulling it inwardly from the edge of the shoe bottom and over said shoe-bottom-engaging member, thereby to tension the stock in a direction heightwise of the shoe and to draw its lasting margin inwardly over the shoe bottom, and additional means for seizing the lasting margin of the stock and exerting a pull thereon in a direction heightwise of the shoe.

2. A lasting machine having, in combination,

a member for engaging the bottom of a shoe,

means for tensioning the stock to be lasted, progressively, in different locations along the marginal edge of the bottom of the shoe by pulling it inwardly from the edge of the shoe bottom and over said shoe-bottom-engaging member, thereby to tension the stock in a direction heightwise of the shoe and to draw its lasting inwardly over the shoe bottom, and additional means including a pair of rotary members for seizing the lasting margin of the stock and exertin a pull thereon in a direction extending heightwise of the shoe.

3. A lasting machine having, in combination, a member for engaging the bottom of a shoe, means for tensioning the stock to be lasted, progressively, in different locations along the marginal edge of the bottom of the shoe by pulling it inwardly from the edge of the shoe bottom and over said shoe-bottom-engaging member, thereby to tension the stock in a direction heightwise of the shoe and to draw its lasting margin inwardly over the shoe bottom, and additional means, including a pair of driven spindles mounted for rotation upon axes inclined to the bottom of the shoe and in a directionextending lengthwise of the shoe, for seizing the lasting margin of the shoe and exerting a pull thereon in a direction extending heightwise of theshoe.

4. A lasting'machine having, in combination. a gripper constructed intermittently to seize the lasting margin of the stock and to pull it inwardly in a direction substantially parallel to the bottom of a shoe, progressively, in difierent locations along the marginal edge of the bottom of the shoe, thereby to tension the stock in a direction heightwise of the shoe and to draw its lasting margin inwardly over the shoe bottom, and additional means for seizing the lasting margin of the stock and exerting a pull thereon sufiicient to tension the stock in a direction extending heightwise of the shoe before the stock is engaged by said gripper.

5. A lasting machine having, in combination, a member for engaging the bottom of a shoe, means for tensioning the stock to be lasted, progressively, in difierent locations along the marginal edge of the bottom of the shoe comprising an intermittently operating gripper for seizing the lasting margin of the stock and for pulling it inwardly from the edge of the shoe bottom and over said shoe-bottom-engaging member, thereby to tension the stock in a direction heightwise of the shoe and to draw its lasting margin inwardly over the shoe bottom, and additional means for seizing the lasting margin of the stock and exerting a pull thereon in a direction extending heightwise of the shoe before the stock is engaged by said gripper.

6. A lasting machine having, in combination, a member for engaging the bottom of a shoe, means for tensioning the stock to be lasted, progressively, in difierent locations along the marginal edge of the bottom of the shoe comprising an intermittently operating gripper for seizing the lasting margin of the stock and for pulling it inwardly from the edge of the shoe bottom and over said shoe-bottom-engaging member, thereby to tension the stock in a direction heightwise of the shoe and to draw its lasting margin inwardly over the shoe bottom, and additional means including a pair of rotary members for seizing the lasting margin of the stock and exerting a pull thereon in a direction extending heightwise of the shoe before the stock is engaged by said gripper.

7. A lasting machine having, in combination, a member for engaging the bottom of a shoe, means for tensioning the stock to be lasted, progressively, in diiferent locations along the marginal edge of the bottom of the shoe comprising an intermittently operating gripper for seizing the lasting margin of the stock and for pulling it inwardly from the edge of the shoe bottom and over said shoe-bottom-engaging member, thereby to tension the stock in a direction heightwise of the shoe and to draw its lasting margin inwardly over the shoe bottom, and additional means, including a pair of driven spindles mounted for rotation upon axes inclined to the bottom of the shoe and in a direction extending lengthwise ofthe shoe, for seizing the lasting margin of the stock and exerting a pull thereon in a direction extending heightwise of the shoe before the stock is engaged by said gripper.

8. A lasting machine having, in combination, a shoe-bottom rest having a shield portion adapted to be positioned on the bottom of a shoe close to the marginal edge thereof, gripper means for seizing the lasting margin of the stock to be lasted and for pulling it in a direction substantially parallel to the bottom of the shoe and over the shield portion of said shoe-bottom rest, thereby to tension the stock .in a direction heizhtwise of the shoe and to draw its lasting margin inwardly over the shoe bottom, and additional means for seizing the lasting margin of the stock and exerting a pull thereon in a direction extending heightwise of the shoe before it is engaged by said gripper means.

9. A lasting machine having, in combination, a shoe-bottom rest having a shield portion adapted to be positioned on the bottom of a shoe close to the marginal edge thereof, gripper means for seizing the lasting margin of the stock to be lasted and for pulling it in a direction substantially parallel to the bottom of the shoe and over the shield portion of said shoe-bottom rest, thereby to tension the stock in a direction heightwise of the shoe and to draw its lasting margin inwardly over the shoe bottom, and additional means including a pair of driven rotary members for seizing the lasting margin of the stock and exerting a pull thereon in a direction extending heightwise of the shoe before it is en gaged by said gripper means.

10. A lasting machine having, in combination, a shoe-bottom rest having a shield portion adapted to be positioned on the bottom of a shoe close to the marginal edge thereof, gripper means for seizing the lasting margin of the stock to be lasted and for pulling it in a direction substantially parallel to the bottom of the shoe and over the shield portion of said shoe-bottom rest, thereby to tension the stock in a direction heightwise of the shoe and to draw its 1asting margin inwardly over the shoe bottom, and additional means, including a pair of driven spindles mounted for rotation upon axes inclined to the bottom of the shoe and in a direction extending length- Wise of the shoe, for seizing the lasting margin of the stock and exerting a pull thereon in a direction extending heightwise of the shoe before said stock is engaged by said gripper means.

11. A lasting machine having, in combination, a gripper constructed to seize the lasting margin of the stock and to pull it inwardly in a direction substantially parallel to the bottom of a shoe, progressively, in different locations along the marginal edge of the bottom of the shoe, thereby to tension the stock in a direction heightwise of the shoe, and to draw its lasting margin inwardly over the shoe bottom, additional means for seizing the lasting margin of the stock and exerting a pull thereon sufficient to tension the stock in a direction extending heightwise of the shoe before it is engaged by said gripper, and means for pressing the lasting margin of the stock against the shoe bottom.

12. A lasting machine having, in combination, a member for engaging the bottom of a shoe, means for tensioning the stock to be lasted, progressively, in different locations along the marginal edge of the bottom of the shoe comprising a gripper for seizing the lasting margin of the stock and for pulling it inwardly from the edge of the shoe bottom and over the shoe-bottom engaging member, thereby to tension the stock in a direction heightwise of the shoe and to draw its lasting margin inwardly over the shoe bottom, additional means for seizing the lasting margin of the stock and exerting a pull thereon in a direction extending heightwise of the shoe before it is engaged by said gripper, and means for pressing the lasting margin of the stock against the shoe bottom.

13. A lasting machine having, in combination, a member for engaging the bottom of a shoe, means for tensioning the stock to be lasted, progressively, in different locations along the marginal edge of the bottom of the shoe comprising a gripper for seizing the lasting margin of the stock and for pulling it inwardly from the edge of the shoe bottom and over the shoe-bottom engaging member, thereby to tension the stock in a direction heightwise of the shoe and to draw its lasting margin inwardly over the shoe bottom, additional means including a pair of driven rotary members for seizing the lasting margin of the stock and exerting a pull thereon in a direction extending heightwise of the shoe before it is engaged by said gripper, and means for pressing the lasting margin of the stock against the shoe bottom.

14. A lasting machine having, in combination, a member for engaging the bottom of a shoe, means for tensioning the stock to be lasted, proe gressively, in different locations along the marginal edge of the bottom of the shoe comprising a gripper for seizing the lasting margin of the stock and for pulling it inwardly from the edge of the shoe bottom and over the shoe-bottom engaging member, thereby to tension the stock in a direction heightwise of the shoe and to draw its lasting margin inwardly over the shoe bottom, additional means, including a pair of driven spindles mounted for rotation upon axes inclined to the bottom of the shoe and in a direction extending lengthwise of the shoe, for seizing the lasting margin of the stock and exerting a pull thereon in a direction extending heightwise of the shoe before it is engaged by said gripper, and means for pressing the lasting margin of the stock against the shoe bottom.

15. A lasting machine having, in combination, a gripper constructed to seize the lasting margin of the stock and to pull it inwardly in a direction substantially parallel to the bottom of a shoe, progressively, in different locations along the marginal edge of the bottom of the shoe, there-- by to tension the stock in a direction heightwise of the shoe and to draw its lasting margin inwardly over the shoe bottom, additional means for seizing the lasting margin of the stock and exerting a pull thereon sufficient to tension the stock in a direction extending heightwise of the shoe before it is engaged by said gripper, and means operating in time relation to the action of said gripper for pressing the lasting margin of the tensioned stock against the bottom of the shoe in a location closely adjacent to, but spaced lengthwise of the shoe from, said gripper, said pressing means being movable, while in pressing engagement with the lasting margin of the stock,

to feed the shoe.

16. A lasting machine having, in combination, a member for engaging the bottom of a shoe adjacent to the marginal edge thereof, gripper means for seizing the lasting margin of the stock to be lasted and for pulling it in a direction substantialy parallel to the bottom of the shoe and over the shoe-bottom-engaging member, progressively, in different locations along the marginal edge of the shoe bottom, thereby to tension the stock in a direction heightwise of the shoe and to draw its lasting margin inwardly over the shoe bottom, additional means for seizing the lasting margin of the stock and exerting a pull thereon in a direction extending heightwise of the shoe before it is engaged by said gripper means, and means operating in time relation to the action of said gripper for pressing the lasting margin of the tensioned stock against the bottom of the shoe in a location closely adjacent to, but spaced lengthwise of the shoe from, said gripper means, said pressing means being movable, while in pressing engagement with the lasting margin of the stock, to feed the shoe.

17. A lasting machine having, in combination, a member for engaging the bottom of a shoe adjacent to the marginal edge thereof, gripper means for seizing the lasting margin of the stock to be lasted and for pulling it in a direction substantially parallel to the bottom of the shoe and over the shoe-bottom-engaging member, progressively, in different locations along the marginal edge of the shoe bottom, thereby to tension the stock in a direction heightwise of the shoe and to draw its lasting margin inwardly over the shoe bottom, additional means including a pair of driven rotary members for seizing the lasting margin of the stock and exerting a pull thereon in a direction extending heightwise of the shoe before it is engaged by said gripper means, and means operating in time relation to the action of said gripper for pressing the lasting margin of the tensioned stock against the bottom of the shoe in a location closely adjacent to, but spaced lengthwise of the shoe from, said gripper means, said pressing means being movable, while in pressing engagement with the lasting margin of the stock, to feed the shoe.

18. A lasting machine having, in combination, a member for engaging the bottom of a shoe adjacent to the marginal edge thereof, gripper means for seizing the lasting margin of the stock to be lasted and for pulling it in a direction substantially parallel to the bottom of the shoe and over the shoe-bottom-engaging member, progressively, in difierent locations along the marginal edge of the shoe bottom, thereby to tension the stock in a direction heightwise of the shoe and to draw its lasting margin inwardly over the shoe bottom, additional means, including a pair of driven spindles mounted for rotation upon axes inclined to the bottom of the shoe and in a direction extending lengthwise of the shoe, for seizing the lasting margin of the stock and exerting a pull thereon in a direction extending heightwise of the shoe before it is engaged by said gripper means, and means operating in time relation to the action of said gripper for pressing the lasting margin of the tensioned stock against the bottom of the shoe in a location closely adjacent to, but spaced lengthwise of the shoe from, said gripper means, said pressing means being movable, while in pressing engagement with the lasting margin of the stock, to feed the shoe.

19. A lasting machine having. in combination, a gripper constructed intermittently to seize the lasting margin of the stock and to pull it inwardly in a direction substantially parallel to the bottom of a shoe, progressively, in different locations along the marginal edge of the bottom of the shoe, thereby to tension the stock in a direction heightwise of the shoe and to draw its lasting margin inwardly over the shoe bottom, and additional means for seizing the lasting margin of the stock and exerting a pull thereon sufficient to tension the stock in a direction heightwise of the shoe, said means operating in such time relation to the action of said gripper as to tension the stock hightwise of the shoe before and during the initial inward tensioning movement of said gripper.

20. A lasting machine having, in combination. a member for engaging the bottom of a shoe, 9. gripper constructed intermittently to seize the lasting margin of the stock and to pull it inwardly over said shoe bottom engaging member in a direction substantially parallel to the bottom of a shoe, progressively, in different locations along the marginal edge of the bottom of the shoe, thereby to tension the stock in a direction heightwise of the shoe and to draw its lasting margin inwardly over the shoe bottom, and additional means for seizing the lasting margin of the stock and exerting a pull thereon suflicient to tension the stock in a direction heightwise of the shoe, said means operating in such time relation to the action of said gripper as to tension the stock heightwise of the shoe before and during the initial inward tensloning movement of said gripper.

21. A lasting machine having, in combination, a member for engaging the bottom of a shoe. a gripper constructed intermittently to seize the lasting margin of the stock and to pull it inwardly over said shoe bottom engaging member in a direction substantially parallel to the bottom of a shoe, progressively, in different locations along the marginal edge of the bottom of the shoe, thereby to tension the stock in a direction heightwise of the shoe and to draw its last ing margin inwardly over the shoe bottom, and additional means including a pair of driven rotary members for seizing the lasting margin of the stock and exerting a pull thereon suilicient to tension the stock in a direction heightwise of the shoe, said rotary members operating in such time relation to the action of said gripper as to tension the stock heightwise of the shoe before and during the initial inward tensioning movement of said gripper.

22. A lasting machine having, in combination, a member for engaging the bottom of a, shoe adjacent to the marginal edge thereof, a gripper constructed intermittently to seize the lasting margin of the stock and to pull it inwardly over said shoe bottom engaging member in a direction substantially parallel to the bottom of a shoe, progressively, in different locations along the marginal edge of the bottom of the shoe, thereby to tension the stock in a direction heightwise of the shoe, and to draw its lasting margin inwardly over the shoe bottom, additional means, including a pair of driven spindles mounted for rotation upon axes inclined to the bottom of the shoe, and in a direction extending lengthwise of the shoe, for seizing the lasting margin of the stock and exerting a pull thereon suflicient to tension the stock in a direction extending heightwise of the shoe, said spindles operating in such time relation to the action of said gripper as to tension the stock heightwise of the shoe before and during the initial inward tensioning movement of said gripper, and means operating in time relation to the action of said grippers for pressing the lasting margin of the tensionedgagement with the lasting margin of the stock,

to feed the shoe.

JOSEPH FOSSA References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Y Name Date Lawson Nov. 30, 1948 

